Cosmetic Fillers and Wrinkles

Injectable cosmetic fillers have been around for decades. In recent years, medical advances have brought new versions of this wrinkle treatment to the marketplace. Newer cosmetic fillers are longer lasting, even permanent. But be sure to do your homework before heading to the cosmetic surgeon.

The Birth of a Wrinkle

Skin is held tight and smooth by three critical components: collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin. These chemicals combine to create a firm, spongy meshwork under the skin surface. This elastic structure keeps the skin surface smooth and firm.

With age, this meshwork slowly loses its integrity. With weakness in the underlying support structure, the skin's surface loses its perfect baby-skin smoothness.

Collagen is the oldest and best-known cosmetic filler. Newer natural and synthetic products are available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Bovine Collagen Fillers

Bovine collagen is processed from the skin of cows. Approved in the 1980s as a wrinkle treatment, bovine collagen is still widely used as a cosmetic filler.

Bovine collagen is effective and less expensive than other treatments. It can cause allergic reactions, so allergyskin testing is generally done before beginning the injections.

The body naturally breaks down injected collagen, so you need to get collagen injections two to four times per year to maintain results.

Human Collagen Fillers

Human collagen, made from cultures of human cells, became available in 2002. Human collagen causes dramatically fewer allergic reactions than bovine collagen, so skin testing is not needed. It is more expensive than bovine collagen, and injections also need to be repeated every three to six months.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Hyaluronic acid is a natural part of skin. With age, you have less of it in your skin.

Various natural and synthetic hyaluronic acid (HA) products are available. In the newest products, the HA molecule is modified to break down more slowly. Cosmetic results can last nine months or longer. Allergic reactions are very rare.